YEAR OF THE FAMILY

Living the Liturgical Year

Celebrating Saints and Feasts to Enrich Hearts and Homes

July 16: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock, superior general of the Carmelites, on this day in 1251 to answer his appeal for help for their new order.  She gave him the Brown Scapular with the promise “whosoever dies in this garment will not suffer everlasting fire.” The Brown Scapular is one of the Sacramentals of the Church.

Read more about the Brown Scapular at:
https://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/07/our-lady-of-mt-carmel-brown-scapular.html
To browse options for buying a (handmade) scapular (and supporting a convent) go to:  http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/





 

In honor of Our Lady we thought we would enjoy some iced coffee with our morning prayers from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Little Office is the normal way to fulfill your daily obligation of wearing the Scapular but you can substitute with 1) Saying three Hail Mary’s, 2) Saying seven Our Father’s with Hail Mary and Glory Be, 3) Saying the Liturgy of the Hours.

 
Recipe: Carmel Iced Coffee (or milk) (from catholiccuisine.com)

Start your day with some Carmel Iced Coffee in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Blend some cold strong coffee (instant works well), carmel sauce, milk, and ice.  Pour in a glass and top it off with cool whip and a drizzle more of the carmel sauce!  (For kids, just omit the coffee and make carmel iced milk!)

Reading:
(for littles) Garment of Grace by Slaves of the Immaculate Heart
(for middles) A Story of St. Simon Stock by Brother Ernest
(high school+) Mary in Her Scapular Promise  by John Mathias Haffert
 
 
Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel:

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.  Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.  Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.  (mention your request here).

There are none that can withstand your power.  Oh May, conceived with out sin, pray for use who have recourse to thee (3times) Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times) . Amen
This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days.


Also this week:
July 18: St. Camillus de Lellis: Patron of the Sick and Nurses
Read about him here: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-camillus-of-lellis/  Or here https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-07-18
 

July 11:   St. Benedict of Nursia (480-543) - patron of Europe and students

          This Father of Western Monasticism was known for his many miracles, building the abbey of Monte Cassino and his writing of The Rule, which became the foundation of monastic life in Europe.  The Rule of St. Benedict can also serve family life to help form it as a Christian “community”. You can read it free online here:  http://www.osb.org/rb/text/toc.html   


RECIPE:  A Little "Pizza Italy" With St. Benedict (from catholiccuisine.com)

Since St. Benedict was born in Italy, we thought we'd bring a little "pizza Italy" into our hometoday.    The Medal of St. Benedict is one of the Sacramentals of the Church.

Ingredients:
Take-and-bake cheese pizza
1 can medium olives
20 pepperoni slices

Instructions:  Prior to baking, slice olives in half (length-wise) and  arrange in shape of the Benedictine cross.  Place pepperonis in the 4 corners  (5 in each corner) to mimic the circles on the back of the St. Benedict medal.   These 4 large circles hold the letters C S P B standing for the Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict). Bake and enjoy! 

Read more about the Medal  of St. Benedict here: http://www.osb.org/gen/medal.html

ST. BENEDICT READING:  

(for littles) The Life of St. Benedict by John McKenzie  or The Holy Twins by Tomie de Paola

(for middles)  St. Benedict - The Story of the Father of Western Monks by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
(high school +) The Life and Miracles of St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great or  Citadel of God  by Louis de Wohl


A Prayer to Saint Benedict for Protection

 Dear Saint Benedict, I thank God for showering you with His grace to love Him above all else and to establish a monastic rule that has helped so many of His children live full and holy lives. 

Through the cross of Jesus Christ, I ask you to please intercede that God might protect me, my loved ones, my home, property, possessions, and workplace today and always by your holy blessing, that we may never be separated from Jesus, Mary, and the company of all the blessed.  Through your intercession may we be delivered from temptation, spiritual oppression, physical ills, and disease.  Protect us from drug and alcohol abuse, impurity and immorality, objectionable companions, and negative attitudes.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Find this prayer and many more at  http://saintbenedictprotection.com/saint-benedict-prayers/
Also this week:
 
July 12: Louis and Zelie Martin (parents of St. Therese of Liseaux and the first married couple to be canonized together!)  Read about this couple here:
http://ctscatholiccompass.org/louis-and-zelie-martin-a-true-love-story/